Newbie to Ford and Exhaust...Need a bit of help.

mxzeatr · #1 03-24-2009, 07:09 PM

Hey Guys,

First Ford ever. Long time Chevy guy converted recently.

Truck specs.

2006 F-150 5.4L 3v

30,000 miles

I've read a TON of information here about exhausts, and I think I've made up my mind. Basically it seems DarrenWS6 throws most of the info around in here and knows his stuff. His truck sounds awesome too!

I'm looking for some sound improvement mainly. I don't want it loud but don't want it quiet either.

I'm thinking the 18" body is what I want.

I have two part numbers though, and I'm not sure what is right. 12256 or 12586?

Also how much am I looking to spend for a new tail pipe? Perferably stainless as that's better then aluminized and whats on the truck currently? I'm thinking si/so but having it come out at more of an angle then stock with a tip.

Also what tip size is recomended? Stainless there too or is Chromed alright?

Thanks for any help!!!

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bigdog87 · #2 03-24-2009, 07:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mxzeatr

Hey Guys,

First Ford ever. Long time Chevy guy converted recently.

Truck specs.

2006 F-150 5.4L 3v

30,000 miles

I've read a TON of information here about exhausts, and I think I've made up my mind. Basically it seems DarrenWS6 throws most of the info around in here and knows his stuff. His truck sounds awesome too!

I'm looking for some sound improvement mainly. I don't want it loud but don't want it quiet either.

I'm thinking the 18" body is what I want.

I have two part numbers though, and I'm not sure what is right. 12256 or 12586?

Also how much am I looking to spend for a new tail pipe? Perferably stainless as that's better then aluminized and whats on the truck currently? I'm thinking si/so but having it come out at more of an angle then stock with a tip.

Also what tip size is recomended? Stainless there too or is Chromed alright?

Thanks for any help!!!

I'm kind of in a rush, but I'll try to answer what I can in a quick bit. I might recommend the Magnaflow 14" Body. The 12256 is an 18", the 12586 is a 22". Stainless will cost you quite a bit, probably around 200(maybe i'm wrong). I'd recommend 3.5" or 4"x18" Tip. Stainless steel definitely on the tip, Chrome you'll have to replace every year or two. Hope I helped you out.

CountryPunk · #3 03-24-2009, 07:37 PM

You'll regret the 18" magnaflow. It's barely louder than stock on these trucks. I'd go with the 14" if you're set on magnaflow. You can get 5' of 3" stainless from performancepeddler.com for about $45-50. Go stainless on the tip. For a single tip, go with a 3.5 or 4", anything smaller will look goofy.

mxzeatr · #4 03-24-2009, 09:26 PM

Thanks for the replies.

I've been trying to watch a ton of youtube videos etc...I really don't want it 'loud'...I want to be able to hear it but more so for the cool factor. If I nail it in town or something I don't want to get pulled over, but I want people to look etc...I also pull alot so I don't want to hear it drone on and on for hours because of it being too short of a muffler.

I kinda had my heart set on the 18" but now I'm un-sure again.

Also, I need a 2.5" muffler right??? I've read some things that say 2.75" so I got confused. I don't have a tape or I'd measure it! LOL

Anyone have a pic of a decent size tip 3.5-4" mounted at the stock tail pipe exit location? I can't find one...

bigdog87 · #5 03-24-2009, 09:31 PM

I believe stock pipe is 2.5" but the tailpipe is 2.75".

CountryPunk · #6 03-24-2009, 09:37 PM

If you change your pipe size to 3", you need 3". If you just do a muffler swap, you'll need 2.5".

mxzeatr · #7 03-24-2009, 09:38 PM

Interesting. So I've got options...

2.5" muffler (in and out)

I'd have to get a piece made up to fit to stock tail pipe

Or get a new 2.5" tail pipe made up

Am I thinking right? I just want to know what is involved so I can get a semi-accurate quote. The nearest exhaust shop is about a 1.5 hr trip....Rather not make it more then once!

DarrenWS6 · #8 03-24-2009, 09:40 PM

Thank you for the comment on my exhaust, much appreciated

To contribute, everyone is on the ball about the 14". With stock converters and a muffler swap only mating to a single tailpipe the 14" will be better heard and the sound will be megaphoned perfectly with a 4x12" tip.

The stock exhaust in these trucks are stainless but natural finished stainless. The stock tailpipes on 2004+ trucks are 2.75", with the rest being 2.5".

The muffler part # I would suggest to you is 11226, its the 4x9 oval 14" SI/SO 2.5" The offset end will be the inlet and centered end will be the outlet and should line up perfect.

You could use the OEM tailpipe but it wil need its ends flared down to fit but it would still work. Wish you luck on your search.

mxzeatr · #9 03-24-2009, 09:44 PM

Thanks for your help here...

Now I'm torn...

Would I be better off to just get a new 2.5" tail pipe made to fit with a tip of that size?

Seems like that would just be 'easier' Would going to a 2.5" tail hurt the flow or anything?

DarrenWS6 · #10 03-24-2009, 09:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mxzeatr

Thanks for your help here...

Now I'm torn...

Would I be better off to just get a new 2.5" tail pipe made to fit with a tip of that size?

Seems like that would just be 'easier' Would going to a 2.5" tail hurt the flow or anything?

No, staying with one size would be best but 2.75" wouldn't hurt anything since its the tailpipe.

mxzeatr · #11 03-24-2009, 09:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DarrenWS6

No, staying with one size would be best but 2.75" wouldn't hurt anything since its the tailpipe.

OK Thanks.

I'll look at getting it done the way I wanted it w/o trying to be cheap.

New 2.5" tail pipe w/a tip...

Any brand of tip anyone could recomend? There seems to be about 1000 choices?

05crewzer · #12 03-24-2009, 10:11 PM

I completely agree about the 14". I had one before i went with cherry bomb. (not the glasspack) I wanted something louder, thats why i changed. The mag 14" was a muffler only swap and i loved it. On a different note, i was also a chevy man recently converting. Its a beautifull thing.

mxzeatr · #13 03-24-2009, 10:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 05crewzer

I completely agree about the 14". I had one before i went with cherry bomb. (not the glasspack) I wanted something louder, thats why i changed. The mag 14" was a muffler only swap and i loved it. On a different note, i was also a chevy man recently converting. Its a beautifull thing.

So far I'm very happy that I switched. I only hope this truck is as good as my Chevy was. It had 190k on it when I traded it in 3 weeks ago.

I'll likely go with the 14". Did you just use the stock tail pipe? Did you get a tip installed or anything like that?

Thanks!

DarrenWS6 · #14 03-24-2009, 10:21 PM

I'm happy I ditched my '05 2500HD for my F150, just as tough a truck built much better and much better gas mileage and it doesn't break down

You could have the shop re-bend you a tailpipe, make sure they mandrel bend it.

mxzeatr · #15 03-24-2009, 10:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DarrenWS6

I'm happy I ditched my '05 2500HD for my F150, just as tough a truck built much better and much better gas mileage and it doesn't break down

You could have the shop re-bend you a tailpipe, make sure they mandrel bend it.

Mandrel bend? Is that the 'smooth' type bend?

That's what I'm thinking. Just having a new 2.5" tail pipe made up...So I can exit it how I want...

I was trying to be as cheap as possible but like usual thats not going to happen!